December 30 2014

December 30 2014 Greetings My Friend My Bible study journaling asks the question on a daily basis “How can I serve others today?” This has been an eye opening moment for me and I find that day in and day out thinking on this question has opened my mind to new ways to serve. In counseling I learned that sometimes the best thing we can do is to take care of ourselves first. It is taking time to meet your personal needs and it does not mean that you make life all about “you” also. It does mean that we do need time to regroup and to freshen ourselves so we can go out and serve our loved ones or even others. I read in the Bible that “Jesus often went off alone to pray.” He took time to talk with God and to be quiet. If Jesus needed to do this I believe we need it as well. Even reading about Creation I find that God created for 6 days and rested on the 7th day. By looking at these two examples I see the importance of taking time out from time to time. I can look back and see that I’ve grown a lot when I have slowed my pace down and did some reflection. In the quiet I hear God more clearly directing my steps. I learn to absorb the quiet and feel refreshed also. For several years now I have been learning to live in a body that is disabled. I have learned to keep house again in a slower routine but my house is clean once more. I am cooking again and enjoying it. I am writing and loving sharing my journey. My question today is “Where do You want me to go this year, Lord?” I have worked exercise into my day to day routines some of which is doing housework and some other types as well. I have learned that I will have setbacks with my health and because I am exercising I am able to bounce back better even if I do have to start from scratch each time. It is worth the effort to start over just so that I can come back each time to me. Junior and I are reaching out into our community where we can and coming alongside of people who are in crisis. Sometimes we give encouragement, sometimes we give a ride we try hard to ask God how long, how much He wants us to give. In order to do this our being retired helps us be available to others easier. I see right now that our reaching out to the community may continue. I have also been ministered to from my online support networks. Some are Christians sharing their day, lives with me and some are in help groups sharing their journey with Chiari Malformation which helps me deal with my own birth defect. My balance issues are a result of this defect along with my shaky hands.I am dizzy frequently and now I know this too is part of my birth defect. Along the way I am also able to reach out to others struggling as I am struggling and I have an opportunity to educate others about my struggles since my birth defect is rare. I also see me praying more. Prayer for me has also been an opportunity to reach out to others and request God’s intervention for them. Many times I am not able to offer help physically or financially but I can ask for God’s help in their lives. My heart is asking God at this point if there is a new direction He wants me to be on or if I am to keep going in this direction. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet